Dispensing machine



P.R.HOOPES DIsPENslNG MACHINE April 30, 1929.

4 Sheets-Sheet ffor/vey f/ l Filed may 1. 192e .Se /7 M5 P. R. HOOPES DISPENSING MACHINE April 304929.

4 Sheets-Sheet Filed May l. 1926 April so, 1929. 1 P, R4, HOOPES 1,711,021

,DI SPENS ING MACHINE 3 @MAL l .//71/ fr 4f for/7e] Patented Apr. 30, 1929.y

PENBOBE B. HOQPES,v OF EARTFOlRD, CONNECTICUT.

DISPENBING HACHIE.

Application Alecl lay vl,

My invention relates to the class ofvmachines employed for dispensing various articles of merchandise, and an object of my invention, amon others, is the production of a machine of t is class that shall be simple in construction and particularly efficient in operation, and one in which the loading of `the machine may be easily and readily ciected.

One form of a machine embodying my invention and in the construction and use of same, partially insection.

Figure 3 1s a view 1n rear elevation of the upper portion of the machine with the back cover removed.

Figure 4 is a view, scale enlarged and in section, of the upper part of the machine on a pla-ne denoted by the dottedlines 4-4 of Figures 1 and 5. l

Figure 5 is a. front view, scale enlar ed, of the upper portion of the case with t e upper cover and cover case removed. Y

Figure 6v is a view in section on a plane denoted by the dotted line 6 6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view in section on a plane denoted by the dotted line 7-7 of Figure 4, y

with parts broken off.

Figure 8 is a detail View illustrating the operation of the indicating device, with the parts shown in one position.

Figure` 9 is a similar view showing the parts inanotherposition.

Figure 10 is another view showing the parts in still another position.

Figure 11 is a view o a portion of the apparatus on a plane denoted by the dotted line 11-11 of Figure Figure 12 is a view of a portion ot the device on a plane denoted by the dotted line 12-12 ot Figure 8. Figure 13 is a detailA view illustrating the actuating mechanism for the dispensing mechanism.

Figure 14 is another View illustrating said mechanism, this being an isometric view looking from the back.

Fi gurc 15 is a view similar to Figure 13, but

showing a different ition of parts, Figures .13 and 15 illustrating the parts principally 1n dotted lines.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 1t) lndicates the lower portion or base of my improved machine and 114 the upper rtion thereof constituting a case within w ich dispensing mechanism is housed, the lower portlon being provided with a door 12 covering an opening through which empty magazines may be removed, and the upperl ortlon of the case havin an upper front p ate 13 removably secure in place as by means of studs on the back face thereof engaging key hole openings 14 inthe sides of the case, the lower edge of the plate 13 being secured behind a fiance on a cover case 15 secured to the front oiD the case 11, as shown in Figure 4, and the upper edge of said plate being secured by a lock of ordinary construction, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. A lower front plate 16. is secured to the case 11, thev cover` case being secured to this lower plate, as shown in Figure 4. Windows 17 are provided in the plate 13 through which the merchandise and indicating devices to be hereinafter described may be observed, and openings 18 are provided in the plate 16 through which the merchandise may be obtained. A back cover 19 is secured to the back part of the upper portion of the main case in any suitable manner.

21 of the main case and to the inner face of the lower front plate 16, said brackets extending across the case from back to front and guides 22 are secured at their lower ends to said brackets and rise therefrom to form receptacles in which magazines 23 containing packages 24 of merchandise are placed.

My improved apparatus comprises two mechanisms that are substantial duplicates of each other, so far ascertain parts are con- :cerne-d, both of theseI ,mechanisms being appurtenant to each stack of magazines in the case, one of these mechanisms appurtenantl 'to a vstack being a delivery mechanism and the other being a dispensing mechanism, the former being located well up in the case above the openings 18 and the latter being located at said openings.

Said delivery mechanism comprises detent operating shaft-s 25 rotatably mounted Brackets 20 are secured to the back wall in the plate 16 and the back wall 2l of the case, there being two of these shafts located underneath each of the receptacles compris ing the guides 22, the members of each pair of shafts beine' spaced apart to permit passage of magazines therebetween and also to properlylocate main stack supporting detents 26 in position to support the stack of magazines whenthe parts are in their normal positions, said detents being secured to said shafts, and each shaft supporting a set of said detents, in the construction herein shown there being three of said detents to a set.v One of said detents, as shown herein that one nearest the front of the maehine,'has a pin engaging a slot in an extension of one of a set of stack releasing detents, 27, each of said stack releasing detents being secured to a releasing detent shaft 28, therebeing two of said shafts also located underneath the stack of magazines, but above the shafts 25,l and spaced apart to permit passage of magazines and to -properly position the detents 27 to temporarily support the stack of magazines While the bottom magazine is being released from the stack, in a manner to be hereinafter described and as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.

A detent operating arm 29 is secured to each member'of eachset of shafts 28, said arms projecting in opposite directions from the shafts of each ofsaid sets and a detent operating bar l30 is pivotally attached 4 at its opposite ends to cach of the arms 29 of each pair of shafts 28, said bar being attached at opposite sides of the axes of said shafts, so that as the bar is moved longitudinally, said arms, and consequently the shafts, will be swung in opposite directions. Each bar 30 has an extension 31 provided with a lug in which a stud 32 is adjustably secured, said stud being located in the -path of movelnent of an actuator 33. Springs 34 are attached at their opposite ends to each bar 30 and to the plate 16 as a means for returning said bar and connected parts to normal positions after they have been moved out from said positions by the actuator 33.

In their normal positions and when the parts are at rest the lower magazine of a stack restsupon the ends of the main stack supporting detents 26, as well as against the heels 35 of the detents 27, as shown in the receptacles on the right in Figures 5 and 6. When these detents are swung, as by the oper! bottom magazine in the stack to thereby tem-v porarily support said stack. It will be understood that in the normal positions of rest l of the parts, as shown with respect to the receptacle at the right in Figures 5 and 6, the upper ends of the detents 27 are separated and that the initial movements of the actuators 33 and bars 30 move the outer ends of these detents toward each other and thereby release the bottom magazine in the Stack, the outer ends of the detents being thus positioned to obstruct movement of the rest of the stack of magazines, this being effected b movement ofthe actuator in one direct-lon, and upon the return of the actuator to its normal position, as under the influence of the spring 34, the detents will assume the positions shown at the right in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. When the bottom magazines in the stacks are released by the delivery mechanisms just described they are free to move downwardly to the vending mechanisms llereinbefore referred to located at the openings 18 through which the packages 24 may be obtained from the magazines. The delivery mechanism is located at such distance above the openings 18 as to prevent one from obtaining the contents o more than a single magazine at a time, it being obvious that the mechanisms altho not so claimed herein may be readily adapted for vending purposes, and in which coins may be employed for regulating the operation of the mechanism.

The dispensing mechanism is not only for the purpose of enabling the contents of the magazines to he obtained, but it has a masov terial advantage in enabling the empty magazines to be disposed of within the machine, thereby avoiding any unsightly appearance by reasonof a strewing of the empty magazines about the machine.

As an aid to this purpose it will be noted that the diameters of the openings 18 are less than those el the magazines, and that the magazines when resting on the detents will have their ends in contact with the back faces of the rings bounding said openings, 'so that the packages 24 may be readily removed from the magazines without removing the latter from the case.

As hereinbefore mentioned these dispensing mechanisms are duplicates ofthe delivery mechanisms above described, and each of which dispensing mechanisms-comprises detent operating shafts 36 rotatably mounted and disposed as in the delivery-mechanism 4 and having .magazine supporting. detents 37 secured thereto, one of said detents having a pin engaging a s lot in an extension of one of a set of magazine releasing detents 38 secured to a releasing detent supporting shaft 39. Detent operating arms 40-41 are secured to project inopposite directions from the rear ends of the shafts 39 back of the back wall 21 of thecase, these arms being connected by a detent operating bar 42 pivotally attached at its opposite ends `to-said arms on opposite sides of the axes of the members of the pair of shafts in the manner as hereinbefore mentioned with respect to the detent operating mounted intermediate its end on the back faceV of the back wall 21 of the case, and as shown in Figurey 4 of the drawings, it being noted that the detent operating arms 41 are located on those ends of the shafts 39fthat, as above mentioned, project through said back wall 21,

. in theillustration in Figure 7 said levers and other pivotallyI mounted parts being without support, this being merely for the purpose of illustration. The upper ends of the levers 45 are each in contact with one end of a dispensing mechanism actuating lever 46 secured to that end of a releasingdetent shaft 28 that projects through the back wall 21 and as shown in Figure 4` of the drawings.

A retarder supporting plate 47 is mounted at its upper and lower ends respectively by the brackets 20 and by brackets 48 the latter also being secured to and extendin between the wall 21 and plate 16. These p ates support retarders 49 projecting therefrom, and said plates also serving as a dividing wall between adjacent passages for the magazines in their movements from the delivery to the dispensing mechanism. Retarders are provided extending in staggered relation from opposite sides of said passages, and as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, said retarders being for the purpose of lessening the speed of the magazines in dropping from the delivery to the dispensing mechanisms and also for preventing said magazines from dropping directly into the spaces between the detents 38 and onto the detents 37, atwhich point they might become wedged were they allowed to drop freely after release by the delivery mechanism.

If desired means may be employed for registering the number of magazines that are operated upon by the machine, as shown herein this comprising a counter-operating bar 50 supported on levers 51 pivotally attached to the wall 21 and having fingers engaged by the ends of the levers 46, one ofthe levers 51 being a bell crank lever, as shown in Figure 7, having one arm connected by a rod 52 with a counter 53, as shown in Figure 3.

Actuating mechanism for the apparatus hereinbefore described comprises the actuator 33 hereinbefore referred to that is pivotally mounted at one end on the inner face of the front wall of the case 15, this lever having a flange 54 to engage with the stud 32 as here inbefore mentioned. An actuating disc 55 is secured to the inner end of'an actuating shaft 56 rotatably mounted in and projecting through the front wall of the case 15, a knob 57 being secured to said shaft outside of the case as a means for turning the shaft. The disc 55 and actuator 33 are cooperatively mounted and are adapted to be operatively connected as by means of connector that may be of various forms. As hereinbefore mentioned, in some casesthe machine may be arranged as a vending machine in which coins will be employed for controlling actuation of the mechanism, and in such case the connector will be a coin inserted between the curved edge of the actuator and the edge of the disc and by means of which coin the actuator will be forced against the stud 32, the coin finally being released from between the jactuator and dise. lVhen the machine is adapted for use as a dispensing machine, and as herein shown and claimed, this actuator may be in the form of alobe 58 on the edge of the disc 55 and adapted to make contact with the edge of the actuator in the same manner that the coin would operate.

- As hereinbefore mentioned the actuator is under the influence of a sprin 34, but it is desired that the movement o the actuator may-,be delayedas to the time of beginning its backward movement after having been moved forward by rotation of the disc 55, as in aquick turning movement of the knob 57 and consequent quick release of the actuator imperfect operation of the mechanism is liable to result. Therefore, to prevent such results I provide a lcheck 59 in the form of a frame pivotally mounted on the inner surface of the front wall of the case 15 and having a retarding finger 60 and a releasing finger 61, the frame being forced toward the disc 55 and actuator 33 as by means of a springy or springs 62. A releasing cam 63 is secured tothe shaft 56 and has a. portion adapted to engage a finger 61 toswing the frame or check 59 on its pivots.

In operation, when the parts are in their normal conditions the fingers 60 will restin contact wit-h the face of the actuator 33. As the latter is swung to one side, in the operation of the mechanism, said finger will move from the face of the actuator into the space between the edges of the actuator and disc 55, the releasing finger 61 at this time being 4in the space between the raised portions of swing the frame this movement of the actuator thus taking place at solne time after it has been disengaged from the connector. The parts are so arran ed that a complete rotation of the knob 57 1s required to effect a complete dispensing operation of the mechanism.

In order that it may be determined before attempting to operate the machine whether or not a magazine receptacle is empty an indicator is employed, 1t` being noted that when there are more than one nmagazines in a receptacle this fact maybe noted by observation through the windows 17. When, however, there is a single magazine in a receptacle it will be located' below the window and therefore cannot be seen. Therefore, an indicator 64 is laced upon the top of a stack of magazines, tiiis being in the form of a block slidably mounted between the guides 22 and having an announcer 65 rotatably mounted thereon and having on one face thereof words as Try this one to denote a magazine in the receptacle, and another face thereof a word asEmpty to denote that the receptacle is empty. Theannouncerl is urged to rotate as by means of a s ring properly disposed, and a latch 66 engaging a lip-67 on the announcer holds the latter against turning movement on the block, butwhen the, block settles onto the detents 38, 'after the last magazine has been dropped therefrom, the tail of the latch will encounter the bracket 20 and thereby disv engage the latch from the lip 67 and permit the announcer to turn, thereby causing the words Try this one to disappear and the word Empty to appear. l

It will be noted that the indicator in this lowermost position so rests between the detents 27, as shown at the right in Fig. 10, that said detents cannot be moved toward each other, and as they have been moved apart to the dispensing mechanism, so that a delivery of merchandise cannot be obtained by unwarranted manipulation of the dispensing mechanism. All operations of the dispensing mechanism are effected bv means of the delivery mechanism, and therefore, lif an at tempt be made to move either of the bars 42 to the left, as seen in Fig. 7, stops Apreventing movement of the levers 46 will secure the v result so far as movement of the bar in this directionl is concerned, and if said bars be moved to the right the arms 41 will move away from the levers 45 without effect thereon.

It may also be noted that thefcounter-operating mechanism is so arranged that a single counter is operated by each movement of each of a plurality of counter-operating mechanisms, this being effected by so convery important feature of the inventionA resides in the construction and arrangement of the releasing detents 27. It will be noted,

as shown in Fi 6, that the detents at the Y left so engage t e stack of magazines that a line drawn through the axis of the pivots of the detents and their points of contact at the ends thereof with tlie magazines, passes on that side of the center of the detents which will cause the weight of the stack to swing the outer ends of the detents toward each other. The springs 34 have ower enough simply to move the outer en s ofthe detents 27 toward each other and therefore only such power is required to turn the knobs 57 as will overcome the tension of the springs and the slight friction between the magazines and the ends of the detents, and as soon as the detents have been moved apart slightl the weight of the stack will aid in comp eting the movement and thus lessen the power required to be exerted on the knobs. The second magazine in the stack is retained in the position shown at the right in Fig. 6 in which position the ends of the detents may pass freely under the magazine without touching it, this referring to the magazine next to the bottom of the stack. As soon as the detents have been moved to release the bottom magazine in the stack the balance of said stack will settle onto the ends of the detents 27 and as shown at the left in Fig. 6 ofthe drawings.

The detents 26 are provided for the pur pose of supporting the whole weight of the stack of magazines and therefore remove such weight from the detents 27, leaving the latter free to move unimpeded by such weight.

Wherever in the foregoing description reference is made to a single mechanism, it will be understood that the description applies equally to the mechanism appartenant to each of the receptacles for the merchandise.

It will be noted that the capacity of the lower portion l() of the case is greater than that of the upper part 11 thereof, the purpose of this being to enable the base to receive all of the containers which may have been deposited in the upper part, as the magazines being largerthan the contents, the capacity of the base is increased to accommodate them. Moreover the magazines are liable to take up more room in the base than in the upper portion of the case for the reason that they will not be deposited in the orderly manner in the base in which they are arranged in the upper4 represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means:

and applied to uses other than those above set out. l

l.. A dispensing machine comprising a case having an opening for access to merchandise Within the case, means for delivering loaded magazines to a location accessible through said opening, means for independently delaying movement of magazines .in a position adjacent to said location, and means for' dis liarging empty magazines from said locaion. f

2. A dispensing machine comprisin a case having an opening for access to merc andise Within the case, means for delivering loaded magazines by a series of movements to a location accessible through said opening, means for discharging empty magazines from said location by one of said movements and simu1 taneously therewith for temporarily obstructing delivery of the next loaded magazine in a position removed from said location. f n f 3. A dispensing machine comprisin a case having an opening for access to merc andisev within the case, a set of shafts spaced apart adjacent to said opening, a detent secured to each of said shafts to receive magazines between them, and means for rocking said shafts to separate the ends of said detents for the discharge of magazines and to move the opposite ends of said detents toward each other toreceive magazines thereon.'

4. A dispensing machinecoinprisin a case having an opening for access to merc andise within the case, a set of shafts spaced apartk adjacent to said opening, detents secured'to said shafts to jointly support merchandise between them, means for rocking said shafts in opposite directions to move said detents apart, a second setof shafts spaced apart adjacent to the first set, detents secured to theV second set of shafts to receive magazines thereon, and means for rocking the second set of shafts in opposite directions for the reception and for the discharge of magazines. Y

5. A dispensing machine comprisin a case having an opening for access to merc andise Within the case, a set of shaftsspaced apart adjacent to said opening, a second set of shafts spaced apart adjacent to the first men tioned set of shafts, detents secured tok said shafts, a connection between said sets of shafts for simultaneous operation thereof,

and means for rocking one of said sets of shafts. n

6. A dispensing machine including a case having an opening foraccess to merchandise therein, a set of shafts spaced apartadjacent to said opening, detents secured to said shafts,

shafts.

a detent operating bar connected at its o po-v y'QA dispensing machine including a case having an opening for'access to merchandise Within'the case, a set of shafts spaced apart adjacent to said opening, detents secured to said shaft, a second-set of shafts spaced a art adjacent to the first mentioned set'of s -afts, detents secured to the second set of shafts and having pinsengaging slots in the detents on the first mentioned set of shafts, an arm projecting from one of the second set of detents, a` detent operating bar attached atits opposite ends to a detent on one ofthe sets of shafts and to said arm, and means for rocking one of said shafts to swin Vthe detents on each set of shafts in opposite directions.

8. A dispensing machine includin a case having an opening for access to merc andise within the case, a set of shafts spaced apart i adjacent to said opening, detents secured to said shafts, a second set of shafts spaced apart adjacent to the first mentioned set of Qil shafts, detents secured to the second set of at its opposite ends with each of said Vdetents i to rock them in opposite directions, and

- means for rocking one of said shafts.

' 10. A dispensing machine includin a case having an opening for access to merc andise therein, a set of shafts spaced apart adjacent to said opening, detents secured to said shafts,

. operating arms secured to said shafts and projecting in opposite directions therefrom, a detent operating bari; secured to the ends of each of'said arms, and means for rocking one of said shafts.

11. A dispensing machine comprising a case havin an opening for access to merchandisewithin the case, means for deliver.- ing loaded magazines, a set of shafts spaced apart, detents lsecured to said shaftsI and 'spaced apart to receive and jointly support said magazines opposite said opening, the ends of said detents being movable into p osition to receive and temporarily support said magazines, detents secured to said shafts to ed to be connected with said actuator by a con pensing mechanism, an actuator operatively fit1 support magazines between the rst mentioied detents, and means for rocking said sha tsa 12. A dispensing machine comprising a case having an opening for access to merchandise within the case, a set o shafts adjacent to said opening, detents secured to said shaftsnd spaced apart, means for rocking said shafts to locate each of said detents to jointly receive a magazine on the end thereof, thento receive said magazine between them, and then to discharge said magazine, .and means for delivering magazines to said de tenta 13. A dispensing machine comprising a case having an opening for access to merchandise within the case, a set of shafts adjacent tc said opening, detents secured to said shafts and spaced apart, means for rocking said shafts first in one direction to move said detents to jointly receive a magazine on their ends, then in another direction to jointly receive and supportv said magazine between them, and then in an opposite direction to 4discharge said magazine, and means for deliverin magazines to said detents.

14. dispensing machine comprising a case having `an opening for, access to merchandise within the case, a set of shafts located adjacent to said magazines, detents secured to said shafts, a second set of shafts operatively connected with the first mentioned setof shafts, detents secured to the second set of shafts, and means for rocking the first set ci shafts to swing detents thereon first in one direction to receive a loaded magazine thereon, then in an opposite direction to deliver said magazine to the detents on the second set of shafts, and then inV an opposite direction to discharge said magazines, and means for delivering magazines to the detents on the iirst mentioned setof shafts.

15. A dispensing machine including dispensing mec anism, an actuator operatively connected therewith, an actuating disc adapt nector, means for delaying returning movement of said actuator, and means for rotating said disc to operate said actuator...

' 16. A dispensing machine including disconnected therewith, an actuating disc adapted to be connected with said actuator by a con' hector, a clieclr swingingly mounted to obstruct movement of said connector 1n one d1- rection, means for operating said check to 'release said actuator, and means for rotating said disc te operate said actuator.

1'?. A dispensing machine including a dispensing mechanism, an actuator operatively connected therewith, an actuating disc adapted to be connected with said actuator by a connector, a check havin a releasing finger and a retarding finger, t e latter to engage said actuator, means for actuating said disc,

and means to engage said releasing finger to operate said check.

18. A dispensing machine including a dispensmg mechanism, an actuator operatively connected therewith, an actuating disc adaptt ed to be connected with said actuator by a.

connector, a cam secured to rotate with said.

vsaid disc and cam.

19.- A dispensing machine including a dis pensiiig mechanism, the latter including a rocking shaft, a member operatively connected with said shaft, an actuator mountedto make contact with said member to operate said shaft, an actuating disc adapted 4to be connected with said actuator by a connector, a check mounted to obstruct movement of said actuator in one direction, means for operating said check to release said actuator, and means `for operating said actuator.

20. A dispensing machine including means for controlling movement of a stack of merchandise, an indicator adapted to ride on said stack, an announcer operatively movably mounted on said indicator, and means for operating said announcer by reason of movenient of said indicator.

21. A dis Jensing machine including means for controlling movement of a stack of mer chandise, an indicator adapted to ride on said stack, an announcer pivotall mounted on said indicator to present di erent sides to view, means for moving said announcer, and means for releasing said announcer for movement.

22. A dispensing machine including means for controlling movement of a stack of merchandise, an indicator adapted to ride on said stack, means movably mounted on said indicator for denoting the amount of merchandise within the receptacle, and means for causing vthe indicator to lock the mechanism in the final position of said indicator.

23. A dispensing machine including means for controlling movement oi a stack of merchandise, andembodying movably mounted detents adapted to'swing apart, and an indicator adapted to ride on said stack and be positioned between the detents to lock them against movement when the indicator is in its `final position.

24. A dispensing machine including means for controlling movement of a stack of merchandise, and unitary means for simultaneously locking said controlling means, together with means movably mounted thereon for visually indicating exhaustion of said merchandise. t

25. A dispensing machine including a case having an opening for access to merchandise therein, interconnected means simultaneously operatable for retaining a4 stack of receptacles for merchandise at a distance remote from said opening, for releasing said stack and for' retaining it in a lowered position, and for separation thererom and for movement independently thereof for releasing the bottom article in the stack for delivery at said openoperatable for retaining the stack of mer-` chandise at a distance remote from said opening, for releasing the bottom article in ,the

stack, for receiving and supporting'said article above said opening'and separated from lthe stack, and for releasing sa1d` article for deliver at said opening.

27. dispensing machine includinfr a case having an opening for access to merchandise therein, interconnected means simultaneously operatable for retaining a stack of merchanf dise at a distance remote from said opening, for releasing said stack fox-.falling movement, for stopping the movement of said stack, for releasing the bottom article in the stack, f or stopping the vmovement; ofsaid article at a point above said opening,` and for releasing said article for delivery at said openin c PENROSE R. HOOP S. 

